Batteries?

[jeepit]

Need a new set of batteries. I have searched thru the posts but everything is 2 years or older. I am on my 2nd set of Mopar batteries.
What else is everyone using??

 

[TMyers]

I've read good things about Deka or East-Penn Batteries. They make Napa's branded batteries as well. I just purchased two of their AGM's for my truck.

 

[AH64ID]

Costco batteries for me. Not the best, not the worst, but easy to come by and a pretty simple warranty.

I’ve spent big money on automotive batteries in the past and it’s never paid off.

 

[GAmes]

With my flame suit on I recommend Optimas. I've read a few posts about early failure and so on but I have had good service from them. After 5 years they become my starter batteries for my '67 chev pickup. I use the blue tops in my RV and my boat.

 

[AH64ID]

I had awesome results with them in the 90’s and early 00’s, but all my experiences with them since are not good.

 

[Regcabguy]

Costco batteries for me. Not the best, not the worst, but easy to come by and a pretty simple warranty.

I’ve spent big money on automotive batteries in the past and it’s never paid off.

Ditto. No questions asked at the return counter if they are under warranty.

 

[Cummins12V98]

My Costco Optima red tops expired just after their short warranty. First thing Costco said was too bad so sad. I said Manager please. I said look at your return policy. He said give me your card. He came back and gave me a full refund mentioning I do spend a lot of money there. Bought two Johnson Controls. They went many years.

 

[Turbo Terry]

Cosco x2 every five years no problems

 

[SSage]

My favorite is Sams Club Duracells. American made Penn batteries at a great price. The cheap Walmart batteries last just as long for me though, made in Mexico right now. Just bought two group 27's Everstart Plus batteries for the 2003. Sam's was completely out of the Penn Sate sourced batteries. I noticed the American made batteries weigh more than the imports. In fact all the new batteries weigh less, I guess they are saving lead. Just pulled a 4 year old group 29 and the new one was much lighter and it was more expensive. I had to replace a few batteries this year, mostly old Everstarts. Got seven years out of a Walmart group 24 in my little 45 hp tractor. Not bad.

 

[Cummins12V98]

Costco unfortunately went to Interstate. They are not what they used to be.

 

[AH64ID]

All the Costco’s I’ve bought have been interstate. No complaints.

 

[Turbo Terry]

Keeping a battery on a trickle charger when not in use truly increases battery life by maybe a couple years. I thought the battery tenders where the best but I really like my newer noco 5 amp the best. Thanks John for the heads up on this charger

 

[mtarcher1]

Need a new set of batteries. I have searched thru the posts but everything is 2 years or older. I am on my 2nd set of Mopar batteries.
What else is everyone using??

I've been using Walmart Everstarts without any issues...on my 3rd set now (I replace at 5-7 yrs). I also have a tender wired into the system so I can easily keep 'em up when I'm not using the truck frequently. My truck never fails to start, even in some pretty cold Montana winters.

 

[White2005]

OEM batteries lasted about eight years, then installed Duracells from Batteries Plus. Last month a set of Duracells from Sam’s Club were installed, though they have slightly lower CCAs.

 

[Matt42]

A lot depends on where you live. Cold weather is gentler to batteries than hot weather. Here in the oven, also known as Arizona, regular flooded cell batteries will last maybe 24 months. Better grades, at higher cost, will last a little longer. When a flooded cell battery dies, it just dies, usually with no warning. So the battery that got you to the grocery to buy the 5 gallons of ice cream for your kid's July birthday party will be dead when you bring the ice cream back to the car. An AGM battery will give you some warning a few months ahead.

That said, I used to use Optima batteries I bought at Costco until they moved their manufacturing to Mexico. Costco quit selling them because the Mexico-made Optima batteries came back so often. I got six years (yes, six years) out of a set of Batteries Plus house brand AGM batteries by keeping them on a float charger when I wasn't using the truck.

I replaced them with the house brand O'Reilly AGM batteries last year. So far, so good. I will use AGM batteries as long as I can, expensive though they may be, because of the "I am about to die" warning and because they don't cause corrosion of the terminals and under the battery trays. The corrosion causes all sorts of electrical gremlins . . .

On the other hand, a colleague in Wyoming got nine years out of the OEM batteries in her 2008 CTD and actually complained about it. Different climate.

 

[Topzide]

I put in a set of Champion's 2 years ago from Pep Boy's due to the fact they had 3 year replacement and 20% off! Just over $300 for the set. We'll see how well they hold up, also have 4 amp maintainer wire through the trailer plug. That's been a big + over the colder days we had this past season. Agree that batteries just don't seem to have the a** that they have had in the past.

 

[jeepit]

Ended up with Interstates from Costco. 3 Year warranty.
See how they do for me.
I do have a trickle charger on Jeep battery so I guess next year I'll either alternate between Jeep and Dodge or buy another charger.

 

[Kneedragger]

Keeping lead acid batteries charged, whether flooded cell, or agm, is vital to their usable life.
Maintenance chargers are not necessary in most situations, but if the truck is not used often,
they can extend batt life quite a bit.

 

[jeepit]

I had been driving the truck every weekend down the Interstate for about 20 miles. Thought that would be enough.
But when I installed the new batteries I saw the push dome light illuminated so that must have been what drained the old batteries. They were well over 6 years so just replaced. Volt meter read 6.4 V.

 

[SSage]

I use a battery charger to make sure the batteries reach full charge. My battery chargers have a de sulfate or maintenance mode, I use that once a month. The batteries do last longer. I really see a difference on my RV batteries, I've used Progressive Dynamics converter now for years, batteries last longer, much longer. The better 4 step chargers don't overheat things, but they charge fast at first if needed and then step down. Much less watering on my RV batteries. I get many years out of some the batteries if I use those battery chargers! Put SAE connectors on your trucks and cars, plug in a decent battery tender or NOCO Genius overnight occasionally. It works well.